WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?
Was it really all that long ago that I babbled incessantly about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s continual, inexplicable snubbing of the Holy Trio of Progressive Rock, and not admitting them into the pantheon of greats?
Lo and behold, look at what news was released to the great unwashed masses on this day!
Rolling Stone: Rush, Public Enemy, Deep Purple Nominated for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Finally. FINALLY! It now can be shouted from the mountaintops: Rush, fourteen years after first becoming eligible, has received its first nomination for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Way to be on the ball, there, Cleveland.
While fans have always been in a froth over this slight–real or perceived–the band itself has usually taken the high road whenever discussion turns to the Hall and their notable absence from it. In typical fashion, they released a short statement in response to news of their nomination, and you can almost see their tongues held firmly in cheeks:
“We are honored to be among the nominees for this year’s Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame. We are especially thrilled for the many, many dedicated RUSH fans to whom this nomination is so very important.” – Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Neil Peart
Translation: “That’s mighty nice of you to think of us, HoF. Meanwhile, we’re a little busy right now, being out on tour and all, as we promote our recently released 19th studio album. Be a mate and leave the gift basket over there by the door, won’t you? If you need us, we’ll be hangin’ with our Boss Fans. Peace out, dawg.”
(Oh, and not for nothing, but that new album? Clockwork Angels? KICK. ASS.)
Anyway, the nomination is done, but the voting’s still underway. This year also marks the first time that regular Joes and Janes like you and me get “a voice,” in that they’ll count up all the votes logged through the website and append a final tally to the back of someone else’s ballot, or something. Okay, not really. The top 5 vote-getters from the list of nominees will be a “fans ballot,” which will carry the same weight as each of the other 600+ ballots being distributed to the regular distro list of voters.
If you want to know more, go here and cast your vote! As I write this, Rush is leading the list, followed by Deep Purple, Heart, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and Albert King to round out the top 5.
So…you know…GO. VOTE.
It’s what By-Tor and the Snow Dog would do.
Even worse is that it took this long to nominate Deep Purple. And look how long it took for Black Sabbath! Of course, the RnRHoF is a joke, anyway…
Eight nominations for Sabbath. Eight.
Meanwhile, Beastie Boys go in on their first try.
That is all you need to do about what’s wrong with the RnRHoF.
Well said, sir. That, and the complete ignorance and snubbing of metal bands who actually created new styles within their genre!